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Treatment Options for Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Recurrence of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
The rate of tumor recurrence in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been estimated as approximately 0.5% to 1% per year. Although research suggests that the rates of local or regional recurrence are significantly lower after mastectomy than after breast-conserving surgery, the 10-year survival rate is approximately 98% with each of these surgical procedures.
Risk factors for tumor recurrence after breast-conserving surgery for DCIS include:
Positive Surgical Margins - With DCIS, the pathologist examining the tissue samples removed at the time of surgery looks carefully to determine the presence of any cancer cells in the margins surrounding the site of the tumor. If cancer cells are detected at the margins of the tumor, there is an increased risk of recurrence following breast-conserving surgery.
Type of DCIS - High-grade DCIS and comedonecrosis DCIS lesions are associated with an increased risk of local recurrence.
Younger Age - Women who are under 45 years of age are also at higher risk for recurrence after undergoing breast-conserving surgery.
If local recurrence occurs following breast-conserving surgery for DCIS, it is usually treated by completion (salvage) mastectomy. Recurrence after mastectomy, however, is very rare.
